Benefits of Proper Drainage

Increased Crop Production

                Proper drainage produces improved crop yields.  As the soil condition is improved, more moisture is available to the plants.

Increased Crop Quality

                Good drainage is important to plant quality for all crops.  Healthy roots support healthy plants.  Healthy soil allows for healthy root growth.

Increased Growing Season

                Good drainage enables fields to be worker earlier assuring a longer growing season.  Wet fields reduce the number of planting days.  Since wet soil diverts heat, proper drainage helps control soil temperatures-allowing earlier planting, later harvest.

Water Table Control

                Drainage lowers the water table and ensures that the soil has ample pore space for holding water until it is required by plants.  Excess water is removed leaving only useful water for crop production.

Soil Aeration

                Drainage aerates the soil, improving the release of nitrogen from organic matter.  The soil warms up faster, as heat is not wasted in evaporating water from the surface.

Less Soil Damage

                Fields worked wet result in reduced yields in heavy soils.

Increased Fertility

                Added soil depth increases fertility.

Drought Prevention

                Added depth means stronger rooting.  In undrained land, plants develop only shallow roots while in drained land the plant roots reach down to the lower water level.

Increased Irrigation Efficiency

                Drainage can ensure maximum potential from irrigation systems by maintaining a uniform water table.

Increased Land Values

                Real estate appraisers tend to list farms with efficient drainage systems at higher prices than those with no drainage.